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Three weeks ago, Arizona State’s Junior Onyeali bolted past a Utah tackle and pretty much two-hand shoved quarterback Jon Hays to the ground. The sack happened in a flash, a blur of violence and speed.

Onyeali’s explanation: “I was just mad.”

For Pac-12 opponents, this is not good news. Onyeali, the 2010 Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year, added two more sacks against California, giving him four through five games.

“I feel like I haven’t been playing as well as I can, and each play I just need to treat it like it’s my last,” said Onyeali, a junior defensive end.

Thursday’s game at Colorado is big for him. Onyeali is from Denver, graduating from Mullen High in 2010. This will mark the first time he’s played in Colorado since high school, and he expects to have a significant cheering section.

“I got my family coming out,” Onyeali said. “I have a lot of coaches who have been there for me since I’ve played Little League, just a lot of people in my life that’s going to be there.”

It’s been a long journey for Onyeali. After a successful freshman season, he suffered a knee injury last year, which kept him out four games. Then, as the Sun Devils prepared for their bowl game against Boise State, Onyeali had a heated exchange with then-coach Dennis Erickson, resulting in a suspension.

Shorty after his arrival, coach Todd Graham made the suspension indefinite, keeping Onyeali out of spring practice. Graham didn’t fully reinstate Onyeali until just before preseason camp, but he’s had no complaints.

“He’s probably had to do more than any person in this program to be on this team,” Graham said. “He’s one of the hardest-working guys on the field. He practices hard every day, so I’ve really seen a guy that’s maturing.

“And he’s very appreciative. He comes up and thanks me, says, ‘Coach, I really appreciate what you’re doing for me.’ He’s been a joy to coach. I’ve had zero issues and, to be honest, he’s been a bright spot.”

Even when he’s angry.

Change at kicker?

ASU might have a different kicker attempting field goals against Colorado. After sophomore Alex Garoutte struggled in the Sept.29 win at California, sophomore walk-on Jon Mora took first reps on field-goal attempts this week.

The Sun Devils chart every practice attempt, and Graham said entering Tuesday that Mora had a slight edge over Garoutte.

“Right now, I would tell you that if we played today, Mora would probably kick,” Graham said.

He noted that nothing would be final until he discussed the matter with special-teams coach Joe Lorig.

“Alex has had a good week,” Graham said. “He hasn’t conceded. To be honest, we have three (kickers) I think can do it, but we need one that makes them all the time.”

Grice ahead of curve

Most junior-college transfers need time to adjust to major-college football, but Marion Grice has developed quicker than expected.

Through five games, the junior running back is the Sun Devils’ second-leading rusher, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 41.2 yards per game. He has a team-high five rushing touchdowns. He also has caught eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s really grown,” Graham said. “I really think he’s just scratching the surface of where he’s going to be. ... Marion’s a very gifted back. When there’s nothing there, he can make something out of it. He’s a really good receiver, too.

“I’m really pleased with his development. Usually, it takes a guy half a year to really come into his own, so I think Marion is ahead of the curve right now.”

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